July 3, 2019
Statewide Capital Plan to Bring Infrastructure Funding to Lake County
Lake County elected officials and state and local government dignitaries
joined Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton at Waukegan City Hall on July 1 for a ceremonial signing of the $45 billion “Rebuild Illinois” state infrastructure plan. The bill provides substantial funding for many Lake County area projects, including roads and bridges, schools, renewable energy, environmental and conservation programs, and other infrastructure improvements. It also creates related job opportunities in construction and the trades.
The bill funds some of the regionally beneficial transportation projects listed in the State Highway Consensus Plan that would relieve traffic congestion in Lake County. Lake County has worked closely with the Illinois Department of Transportation and its state elected officials to advance these projects. Among the projects included in the bill are the interchange reconstruction at U.S. 41 at IL 176 in Lake Bluff and North Chicago, the reconstruction and widening of IL 22 from Quentin Road to west of IL 83 in Kildeer and Long Grove, and the resurfacing, bridge and culvert replacement from west of Sheehan Drive to Munn Road in Lindenhurst and Lake Villa.
Additionally, the bill includes funding for the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center, which provides services for child victims of abuse, to build a medical facility. Other funding will go toward the stabilization of the Illinois State Beach shoreline, a new classroom building at the College of Lake County Lake Shore Campus, and dredging at the Chain O' Lakes, among other projects.
The passage of the new capital plan follows Lake County's testimony to the Illinois Senate Subcommittee on Capital in May. Local leaders testified on local infrastructure needs that could be addressed through a statewide capital plan.
Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart told Governor Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Stratton that “we are honored to have you here so we may thank you in person for the capital bill that brings much needed jobs, infrastructure, economic development and opportunity for the people of Lake County.”
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